This year too, late monsoon rains brought news of devastation as mountain-sides succumbed to the pull of gravity – from the Indian north-east westward, through Bhutan, Nepal, Himachal Pradesh and beyond. The mountains are "dynamic" and up to an extent landslides are a part of the natural process, but their numbers are on the increase, say experts.
While there have been much generalisation and hyperbole about the causes and consequences of landslides, there is more study of the phenomena today, than ever before. Experts remain divided about deforestation´s role in causing landslides and on how to promote "slope stability." Although trees are widely believed to stabilise slopes, some believe that grasses provide more protection. In some cases, says one geologist, the weight of trees on a slope could actually trigger a landslide.
The hill farmer has been held responsible for much erosion leading to landslides, but, increasingly, the peasant is being regarded as victim rather than perpetrator. Simplistic theories are being discarded and more detailed studies are carried out to understand the complexities of landslides. For example, the combination of roads and irrigation canals on unstable slopes often aggravate the instability, and increases the likelihood of landslides.
This much is clear: that the variety and individual nature of landslides demand more consideration from geologists, social-scientists, engineers, planners and policy-makers. This photo essay takes a look at the several landslides that occurred in Nepal, in order to introduce some of their variety and complexity. Dates indicate when the pictures were taken.